Is there any aesthetic treatment more famous around the world than Botox? Since 2002, this revolutionary neuromodulator injectable treatment has been reviving the beauty of people around the world. But it seems like there is still a lot to learn about how this injectable treatment works – especially how this treatment can work for you. At CJM Aesthetics in Bay Village, OH, our expert staff are happy to answer all of the questions you have about this classic aesthetic treatment.
How Long Does Botox Last For?
Generally speaking, you can expect the effects of Botox to last for three to four months at a time. This is the average length of time experienced by most patients, meaning this is about how long you can expect to enjoy the results of this treatment – minus a week or two from the start of your treatment, which is how long it takes for the injectable to take effect.
Why Does This Injectable Last Longer for Some People?
While the vast majority of people can expect the results of this filler to last for three to four months, there are certainly people who can enjoy results for much longer – sometimes even up to six months. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the severity of your anti-aging concerns, with those who have mild concerns able to enjoy the results of the treatment for a bit longer. Other factors include your age, your unique biology and metabolic rate, the number of units used in your treatment, and how many times you’ve had the treatment before.
Why Does This Injectable Not Last As Long for Other People?
Similarly to the way this injectable treatment will sometimes last longer for people who have used the treatment before, sometimes this treatment last for a shorter length of time for first-time patients. There are many who can only enjoy about two months of treatment the first time they use this neurotoxin, largely because the body tries to metabolize the injection more quickly because it’s a new chemical that the body wants to eliminate quickly.
If your treatment results lasted only a short amount of time for your first treatment, don’t fret – your next treatment will surely last a longer period of time.
Should You Have This Treatment Regularly?
Absolutely! Many patients opt to have this treatment on a regular rotating basis, meaning they have appointments scheduled once every three or four months so they can maintain their desired results. Timing your treatments regularly will ensure that the results of your treatment are totally seamless, which is ideal for those who want to have consistent results.
Should You Alternate This Treatment?
Of course, depending on your treatment goals and your particular biology, it might also be smart to alternate this treatment with other neuromodulators. Because this treatment uses a neurotoxin, it’s sometimes the case that some people build a tolerance to the toxin over time. To prevent tolerance to this particular neurotoxin, it can be a wise move to alternate this treatment with one such as Xeomin, which accomplishes the same goal and helps prevent your body from building a tolerance.
Why Tolerance Matters
Our bodies build a tolerance to all sorts of things, including antibiotics, steroids, pain medication, and even certain foods. Tolerance to a substance is your body’s way of protecting itself, but it can also be a double-edged sword with aesthetic treatments. When you build a tolerance to neuromodulators, it means that the effectiveness of your treatment slowly degrades to the point where you can’t enjoy results for as long as usual.
Fortunately, it takes a while for people to build tolerances to neuromodulator injectables. For example, some people don’t begin to experience tolerance symptoms until after 12 consecutive treatments. That’s about four years of round-the-clock treatments. Naturally, the best way to ensure you can enjoy the effects of Botox is to alternate between this injectable and another, which can help you enjoy year-round results for many, many years to come.
How Many Units Will You Need?
The number of units you will need depends on your exact treatment goals. Because this neuromodulator can be used in various areas of the face, you may find that you will need more units of the injectable to achieve your desired results. In general, the number of units required for each area of the face looks something like this:
- Brow lift requires two to five units
- Forehead requires ten to 30 units
- Glabellar brow lines require 10 to 25 units
- Crow’s feet requires five to 15 units per side
- Bunny lines require five to 10 units
- Chin dimples require two to six units
- Smile lines require three to six units
As a rule, minor aesthetic concerns will require fewer total units than major aesthetic concerns. For example, if you only have fine lines on your forehead, then you will need only ten units, while dynamic wrinkles on the forehead will require 30 units. Our skilled aestheticians will determine the exact amount of units required to help you reach your appearance goals.
What Can You Expect From Your Treatment Process?
The treatment process for injectable treatments such as this one is overall much more simple than some other cosmetic treatments, such as laser treatments. The first step of your treatment will be to attend a consultation appointment, which is for first-time users of this neuromodulator as well as patients who have not had this treatment at our clinic before.
Your consultation will allow us to discuss your treatment goals and expectations, and also give us an opportunity to collect other relevant information about you. We will need to know your general medical history, cosmetic treatments you have had in the past, your basic skincare regimen, and any known drug allergies. If this is your first time using a neuromodulator such as this one, we may ask you to complete a simple allergy test to verify your qualification for this treatment. Most people are not allergic to botulinum toxin A, which is the primary ingredient of this treatment.
Preparation
Before your treatment appointment, there are a few things you may need to do to prepare for a successful treatment. For example, we may direct you to reschedule other types of treatments for two weeks before your appointment, particularly laser treatments. Other instructions to follow to prepare for your treatment may include:
- Discontinue blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Stop use of Retinoids
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours
We will instruct you to reschedule your treatment appointment if you are having a current cold sore flare-up. You may take Arnica for two or three days before your appointment to help reduce the risk of bruising.
Treatment Appointments
Your treatment appointments will take about 30 minutes to complete. At patient request, we can provide patients with topical numbing creams to ensure your comfort during your treatment. Some patients also like taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, about one hour before treatment to minimize potential discomfort. As a note, however, this treatment is not unlike your annual flu shot and many patients do not feel the need to use either product.
One of our skilled aestheticians will perform your treatment. This is done by making several small injections in various areas of your face. The injections are placed directly into the muscles of the face so these muscles can relax and smooth out the appearance of wrinkles.
Aftercare and Recovery
Your recovery after this treatment is exceptionally minimal. In fact, most patients return back to their normal daily activities following their treatment appointment. However, during your recovery period, you will need to follow a few simple aftercare rules to ensure you can enjoy the successful results of your treatment. Some of these aftercare instructions might include:
- Do not use blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Avoid exfoliating chemicals and Retinoids
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours
- Do not massage face
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Avoid excessive sweating and heat, including hot tubs and saunas
- Stay out of direct sunlight, including tanning beds
You will only need to follow these aftercare instructions for about seven to ten days after your treatment. We encourage patients to do facial exercises about one or two hours after your treatment appointment to work the neuromodulator into your facial muscles; facial exercises essentially mean making exaggerated facial expressions repeatedly, such as opening your mouth wide, squinting, and raising your eyebrows.
How Can You Prolong Results?
Prolonging the results of your treatment is usually a top priority for many patients, even those who benefit from longer-lasting results already. There are many things you can do to prolong the results of your treatment including:
Skincare Products and Routine
Having a good skincare routine will help prevent future wrinkles from forming. Ideally, your daily skincare routine should consist of cleansing, moisturizing, and using sun protection, although many people mix skin actives into their routine to actively target signs of aging.
It’s also important you are using skincare products that are suited for your skin type and skin needs. At our clinic, we prefer the Obagi skincare line of products, which feature products that have been specially curated to help address multiple skin concerns, including anti-aging concerns.
Low-Stress Lifestyle
Maintaining a low level of stress will also help prolong your results. Many people subconsciously make facial expressions, such as frowning, when they are stressed, so lowering your stress level will naturally lower your chance of making the kind of repetitive expressions that can create wrinkles. Mindfulness exercises can be helpful for lowering your stress.
Sun Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for good skincare and essential for making the results of your treatment last for as long as possible. Not only will unprotected exposure to harmful UV rays make your skin age prematurely, but it can also make the neuromodulator break down more quickly. We encourage patients to use SPF of 30 or 40 during the daytime, particularly when they plan on being in the sunlight.
Who Are Good Candidates for Botox?
This neuromodulator injectable is a long-trusted and very effective anti-aging treatment, so naturally many people are good candidates for this treatment. The best candidates for this treatment are men and women who have age-related appearance concerns, women who are not currently pregnant, and anyone who would like to relax the appearance of wrinkles on their face.
Enjoy the Long-Lasting Results of Botox Today!
The results of Botox can last for an impressively long time, making this treatment one of the low-maintenance classics that can instantly rewind the clock and restore your youth. To schedule your first appointment and to see how long does botox last for on your skin, contact CJM Aesthetics in Bay Village, OH today led by Cynthia Mikula DDS!!
